CN111971601A

CN111971601A - Flexible push-pull boot sleeve and press-fit body for optical fiber connector

Info

Publication number: CN111971601A
Application number: CN201980024568.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: J·希格利; M·克劳德
Original assignee: Connec Inc
Current assignee: Connec Inc
Priority date: 2018-04-06
Filing date: 2019-04-05
Publication date: 2020-11-20
Anticipated expiration: 2039-04-05
Also published as: US11815724B1; US20210405302A1; US11112567B2; CN111971601B; EP3776033A4; US20200150357A1; US20210149124A1; US20230213709A1; US20240192452A1; EP3776033A1; WO2019195652A1; CN117434655A; US12013580B2; US11906794B2; US20230358972A1; US20230358973A1; US11592627B2; US11719893B2

Abstract

A new boot for a fiber optic connector has a ribbed rear portion, a central portion, and a forward extension that can be used to insert and remove a fiber optic connector to a receptacle. The ribbed rear portion has gripping elements and is attached to the central portion. The central portion is removably connected to a press-fit body, which in turn is connected to the connector housing. The front extension connects to the fiber optic connector and also provides a keying feature associated with the side of the fiber optic connector on which it is mounted.

Description

Flexible push-pull boot sleeve and press-fit body for optical fiber connector

Background

This application claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/653,706, filed on day 6, 4/2018, and U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/793,198, filed on day 16, 1/2019, the contents of both of which are incorporated by reference.

Technical Field

Fiber optic connectors and the locations in which they are mounted are becoming smaller, requiring higher density applications. The size of fiber optic connectors has been reduced so that individuals cannot easily grasp individual fiber optic connectors mounted in receptacles in high density areas. Thus, it can be very difficult to install and remove fiber optic connectors in and from their respective receptacles. When used in higher density applications, adjacent fiber optic connectors are typically positioned too closely to allow manual insertion and removal of individual fiber optic connectors with the connector's housing as intended. Some solutions for smaller areas include push-pull tabs or protrusions that are connected to the fiber optic connector (typically the housing) as an additional component or as an integral part of the fiber optic connector.

While these push-pull tabs provide a solution for the insertion and removal of some fiber optic connectors, there remains a problem with the optical fibers and cables becoming tangled near the tabs. This can result in the push-pull tab being removed or broken without providing the user with a true choice for removing the fiber optic connector. Additionally, in high density environments, there may be some confusion as to which fiber optic connector a particular push-pull tab belongs.

While boots may be used to push a fiber optic connector into a receptacle, they are not generally intended to be used to remove a fiber optic connector. Boots are commonly used for strain relief of optical fibers secured within fiber optic connectors. In many connectors, the boot cannot be used at all for removal of the fiber optic connector because the boot is not attached to a suitable structure such as a housing.

Additionally, the conventional boot on the fiber optic connector does not communicate the polarity of the fiber optic connector to which it is attached.

The present invention is therefore directed to a boot sleeve that can be used with a fiber optic connector for insertion into and removal from a receptacle. The boot may also be detached from a portion of the fiber optic connector and reattached in a different configuration to identify the polarity of the fiber optic connector.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention relates to a boot for an optical fiber connector having a housing, at least two fiber ferrules (ferule) and a crimp, the boot comprising: a central portion having a front end and a rear end; a first longitudinal opening extending between the front and rear ends to receive a portion of a press body and a fiber optic cable; a rear portion attached to the central portion and extending away from the front end of the central portion, the rear portion defining a second longitudinal opening in communication with the first longitudinal opening, the rear portion having a grip to allow a user to push and pull on the bootie; and a front extension connected to the central portion and engageable with the fiber optic connector, the front extension extending forward and beyond a front end of the central portion and having at least one latch to engage the receptacle.

In some embodiments, a boot may be connected to one of the first and second sides of the fiber optic connector to determine the polarity of the fiber optic connector.

In some embodiments, the bootie further comprises a first engagement member for cooperating with a corresponding second engagement member on the press body to removably attach the bootie to the press body.

In some embodiments, pulling on the boot causes the first engagement member to slide relative to the second engagement member, thereby pulling the front extension rearward to release the fiber optic connector from the receptacle.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a combination of a boot and a crimp body for an optical fiber connector having a housing, at least two fiber stubs, and a spring bias, the combination including a boot, the boot further including: a central portion having a front end and a rear end; a first longitudinal opening extending between the front and rear ends to receive a portion of a press body and a fiber optic cable; a rear portion attached to the central portion and extending away from the front end of the central portion, the rear portion defining a second longitudinal opening in communication with the first longitudinal opening, the rear portion having a grip to allow a user to push and pull on the bootie; a front extension connected to the central portion and engageable with the fiber optic connector, the front extension extending forward and beyond a front end of the central portion and having at least one latch to engage the receptacle; and a press body, the press body further comprising a front portion configured to be at least partially disposed in the housing, a rear portion extending rearwardly away from the front portion and providing an outer surface to receive a press belt therearound, and a central portion disposed between the front and rear portions, wherein the boot has a first engagement member for cooperating with a corresponding second engagement member on the press body to removably attach the boot to the press body, the second engagement member being disposed on the central portion of the press body.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the invention as described herein, including the detailed description which follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present embodiments of the invention are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the invention as it is claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operations of the invention.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a fiber optic connector having a crimp body, a boot, and a front extension according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the fiber optic connector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the fiber optic connector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the fiber optic connector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the fiber optic connector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the fiber optic connector of FIG. 1 with the boot and the front extension being separated from the compression body and the connector housing;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the front extension, latch body and connector housing;

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the front extension, the press body and the boot from the fiber optic connector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-section of the junction of the two components of the press body and the boot sleeve;

fig. 10 is a perspective view of a press-fit body of the optical fiber connector in fig. 1;

FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of the opening therein from the front of the boot and the front extension of the fiber optic connector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a rear and bottom perspective view of the boot and front extension of the fiber optic connector of FIG. 1 along the opening therein;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a portion of the bottom of the boot sleeve;

FIG. 14 is a side perspective view of the bootie and the front extension being attached to the press body;

FIG. 15 is a side view of the boot and front extension being pulled rearwardly to disengage the fiber optic connector from the receptacle;

FIG. 16 is a second embodiment of a fiber optic connector according to the present invention having a crimp body, a boot and a front extension;

FIG. 17 is a third embodiment of a fiber optic connector according to the present invention having a crimp body, a boot, and a front extension; and

fig. 18 is an enlarged view of a connection portion between the boot and the crimp body in the optical fiber connector of fig. 16.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

Applicant notes that the term "front" or "forward" refers to the direction in which a fiber optic connector will meet another fiber optic connector or device, while the term "rear" or "rearward" is used to refer to the direction from which an optical fiber enters a fiber stub or fiber optic connector. Thus, the "front" is the portion of the fiber optic connector on the left side of fig. 1, and the "forward" is outward and to the left. "rear" or "rear" is that portion of the fiber optic connector that is on the right side of the page, and "rearward" and "rearwardly" are toward the right.

One embodiment of an optical fiber connector 100 according to the present invention is illustrated in fig. 1-15. The fiber optic connector 100 (as illustrated in fig. 1-6) may include a housing 102, a fiber optic ferrule 104 (which may be included in a ferrule assembly as disclosed in PCT/2018/066523), a compression body 106, a compression ring and heat shrink tubing 108, a front extension 110 that is part of a strain relief boot 112. As discussed in more detail below, the compression body 106, the forward extension 110, and the strain relief boot 112 are the focus of the present application. The front extension 110 also acts as a push-pull mechanism or latching component, whereby the front extension 110 has at least one latch, and more preferably two

latches

114, 116, on a latch body 118 that engages a receptacle (such as an adapter and/or carrier), if used with the present invention. The front extension 110 also acts as a polarization key for the fiber optic connector 100. As described in more detail below, with the front extension 110 disposed on the fiber optic connector 100, the fiber optic connector 100 can only be inserted into the receptacle in one orientation. The housing 102 is symmetrical about a longitudinal axis a through the fiber optic connector 100. Thus, without the front extension 110, the fiber optic connector 100 may be inserted into the receptacle in at least two ways. The front extension 110 prevents the fiber optic connector 100 from being plugged in all but one way-providing a polarization function for the fiber optic connector.

Turning to the housing 102, the housing 102 has a body 120 extending between a front end 122 and a rear end 124, and has an opening 126 extending between the front and rear ends. See also fig. 6 and 7. The fiber stub 104 is disposed within the opening 126 and has a front face of the fiber stub adjacent the front end 122 (for mating with other fiber stubs). The press body 106 is also at least partially disposed within the opening 126 at the rear end 124 of the housing 102.

The outside of the housing 102 has many features that are essential to its use. First a top surface 130 and a bottom surface 132. The top surface 130 and the bottom surface 132 are preferably identical. The rail receiving portion 134 extends from the rear end 124 of the housing 102 toward the front end 122 on both the top surface 130 and the bottom surface 132. The rail receiving portion 134 does not extend the full length of the housing 102 as shown, but may extend further along the length of the housing 102 than shown if desired. The rail receiving portion 134 has a stop surface 136 at an end of the rail receiving portion 134. The front extension 110 will be used with the stop surface 136 when the optical fiber connector 100 is inserted into or removed from various structures, as discussed in more detail below.

The rail receiving portion 134 has a central portion 138 and two camming sections 140, one on each side of the central portion 138. Thus, the rail receiving portion 134 appears to be a partial dog bone contour. This configuration matches the configuration of the bottom surface of the forward extension 110 (latch member or push-pull mechanism) to form a sliding dovetail configuration. See also fig. 7. Other arrangements are also possible, such as for example a cap with an undercut (substantially umbrella or T-shaped arrangement).

The fiber optic connector 100 also includes a crimp body 106. The press-fit body 106 has a front portion 150 and a spring bias (not shown), the front portion 150 being designed to interact with and connect to the housing 102 and the spring bias cooperating with the fiber stub 104 in the fiber stub opening 126. The press body 106 has a central portion 152, the central portion 152 fitting against the rear end 124 of the housing 102. The central portion 152 has a first portion 154 that includes rail receiving portions 158 on both the top and bottom sides 154, 156. The rail receiving portion 158 has a central portion 160 and two camming sections 162, one on each side of the central portion 160, that mate with the same structure 134 on the housing 102 to engage the forward extension 110.

The central portion 152 has a second, more rearward facing portion 170, the second portion 170 including two recesses 172 on both the top side 154 and the bottom side 156. At the rearward end 174 of each of the four recesses 172 (two on the top side 154 and two on the bottom side 156) is provided a forward facing surface 176 to engage a latch on the boot sleeve 112. The recess 172 and the forward surface 176 are involved in the connection of the boot 112 (and the forward extension 110) to the compression body 106 and the shell 102, as explained below.

The press-fit body 106 has a rear portion 180 that extends behind the central portion 152 and the shell 102 and provides an outer surface 182 to receive a press-fit band (e.g., a press-fit ring and heat shrink tube) therearound. An opening 184 extends through the compression body 106, and a fiber/fiber optic cable may pass between the fiber stub 104 and the boot sleeve 112 through the opening 184. While this design would allow for the use of a crimp band to attach aramid yarns from a fiber optic cable, a crimp band is optional and when aramid yarns are not present, the fiber optic connector would operate without a crimp band. Additionally, the compression body would require an outer surface 182 when the compression band is not in use.

Turning now to the boot sleeve 112, the boot sleeve 112 includes a forward extension 110, a central portion 200 disposed between the forward extension 110 and a ribbed rear portion 202. It should be noted that the forward extension 110 is preferably an integral part of the central portion 200, but the forward extension could also be removably attached to the central portion 200 and still fall within the scope of the present invention.

The central portion 200 has a front end 204 and a rear end 206 with a first longitudinal opening 208 extending through the central portion 200. The first longitudinal opening 208 receives at least a portion of the lamination body 106 including at least a rear portion 180 extending behind the central portion 152 and an outer surface 182 with a compression band. The first longitudinal opening 208 also receives the rearward portion 170 of the central portion 152 of the lamination body 106 as well as the recess 172 and the forward facing surface 176. See fig. 9.

The central portion 200 also has side portions 210 that help define the first longitudinal opening 208. The side portion 210 may also have a cutout 212 that receives a portion 214 of the lamination body 106. The cooperation between the cutouts 212 and the portions 214 of the compression body 106 facilitates the alignment and integrity of the combination of the compression body 106 and the central portion 200. It should be noted, however, that the side portions 210 may also be solid and cover the overlapping portions of the compression body 106. See, for example, fig. 16.

Within the first longitudinal opening 208 and extending from the side 210 are two protrusions or latches 220 that extend into the first longitudinal opening 208. When the boot sleeve 112 is attached to the press body 106, the protrusions or latches 220 are disposed within two recesses 172 on one of the top side 154 or the bottom side 156, depending on the orientation of the boot sleeve 112. In the fully engaged position, the protrusion or latch 220 is furthest from the forward facing surfaces 176 that at least partially define the two notches 172. See fig. 9. At this location, the front end 204 of the center portion 200 should be in contact with the first portion 154 of the center portion 152 of the lamination body 106. See fig. 1, 8 and 9. The central portion 200 also has a bridge 222 connecting the side portions 210 with a projection or latch 220. The bridge 222 performs two functions. First, as seen in fig. 2 and 8, the bridge 222 blocks the rail receiving portion 158 when the front extension 110 is oriented on the other side of the fiber optic connector 100. See fig. 8. The bridge 222 helps prevent snag (snag) of the optical fibers and fiber optic cables by the rail receiving portion 158 when installing the fiber optic connector 100. Second, as the user pushes on the bridge 222 toward the first longitudinal opening 208, the protrusion or latch 220 (and the side 210) is pushed outward and around the recess 172 and the forward surface 176. This allows the boot 112 (and the central portion 200) to be removed from the compression body 106 and from the fiber optic connector 100 (if so desired).

It should be noted that while there are two projections or latches 220 and two notches 172 on each side, there may be more or fewer. For example, there may be only one latch and one corresponding notch. Alternatively, the latching of the boot sleeve 112 to the compression body 106 may not be on the outside surface of the compression body 106. Rather, such latching may occur on the inside surface of the compression body 106 and may not be visible from the outside. For example, the recess 172 and the forward surface 176 may be inboard of the rearward portion 170 such that, from the exterior (as viewed), the rearward portion 170 will have a smooth continuous surface that merges with the portion 214 of the lamination body. In another example, the latch 220 may extend from the bridge 222 to inside the inner groove or below the top surface of the rearward portion 170 (i.e., the portion between the forward surfaces 176). In this scenario, the latch 220 would be facing up or down rather than sideways as shown, for example, in fig. 11.

The ribbed rear portion 202 extends between a front end 230 and a rear end 232 and is made up of a plurality of rib members 234. The ribbed rear portion 202 is attached to the rear end 206 of the central portion 200 and extends away from the front end 204. Thus, the ribbed rear portion 202 makes the bootie 112 longer. The ribbed rear portion 202 also has a ridge 236 that couples the plurality of rib members 234 together. Along the ridge 236 are a plurality of gripping portions 238 that provide a surface for a user to grip. The user may then use the ribbed rear 202 to push the fiber optic connector 100 into the receptacle, or pull on the ribbed rear 202 and particularly the grip 238 to pull the fiber optic connector 100 out of the receptacle. The grip portion 238 is illustrated as three annular members disposed along the length of the ridge 236 and forming, with the plurality of rib members 234, a second longitudinal opening 240 through the ribbed rear portion 202. The first and second

longitudinal openings

208, 240 communicate with each other and form a passage for the fiber/fiber optic cable to be inserted into the opening 126 from the rear end 232 in the housing so that the fiber/fiber optic cable can be secured within the fiber stub 102 in the fiber optic connector 100.

The configuration of the ribbed rear portion 202 with the plurality of rib members 234 and ridges 236 provides sufficient strength to allow it to be used for installation and removal of a fiber optic connector while being flexible to provide strain relief to the optical fiber. The ribbed rear portion 202 is illustrated as being asymmetrical with respect to the second longitudinal opening 240, but may be any suitable shape and still fall within the scope of the present invention. In addition, different rib structures and grips, such as those illustrated in fig. 16 and 17, may also be present and all fall within the scope of the present invention.

The front extension 110 has a main body 250 and a latch body 118 attached to the main body 250. See fig. 6, 7 and 14. The main body 250 has a front portion 254, a middle portion 256, and a rear portion 258. Basically, the front 254 is where the latch body 252 is attached to the main body 250, and the front 254 provides a latch for the fiber optic connector 100 to a first receptacle (such as an adapter). The middle portion 256 provides an area for latching of the fiber optic connector 100 to a second receptacle, such as a ganged carrier. The rear portion 258 has an area for a return element associated with the latch body 252, and the rear portion 258 also connects the front extension 110 to the central portion 200 of the boot sleeve 112.

The front portion 254 has two windows 260 and 262 and the middle portion 256 has a window 264. The windows 262, 264 of the front 254 will receive the

latches

114, 116 from the latch body 118 therethrough. The first window 260 will receive a latch pad 266 on the latch body 118. There are two latch 266 pads on the latch body 118 that cooperate with grooves 266a in the main body 250 to secure the latch body to the main body 250. The latch pads slide within the grooves to allow latching and unlatching of the fiber optic connector 100. A more detailed discussion of this feature is disclosed in PCT/2018/066523, which is incorporated herein by reference.

The middle portion 256 has an upper surface 268 that is higher than an upper surface 270 of the front portion 254. This allows the carrier and adapter to latch with the same device. The bottom side 272 of the middle portion 256 is provided with two

extensions

274, 276 that are complementary configurations of the rail receiving portion 134 of the housing 102. See fig. 13. The latch body 118 also has the same rail arrangement on its bottom consisting of two

extensions

280, 282. This allows the main body 250 and latch body 118 to be slidably attached to the rail receiving portion 134 of the housing 102 and the rail receiving portion 158 of the press body 106. When the latch body 118 is inserted into the front portion 254, the front surfaces 284 of the two

extensions

274, 276 provide a pushing surface via which the main body 250 can push the latch body 118 in the rail receiving portion 134. See also fig. 11 and 14. The front surfaces 286 of the two

extensions

280, 282 also provide a pushing surface to be used against the stop surface 136 of the housing 102. See fig. 11 and 14. This allows a user to apply a force to the boot 112 that is transmitted through the main body 250 to the latch body 118 and to the housing 102 to insert the fiber optic connector 100 into a carrier and/or adapter.

Turning to fig. 1, 7, and 14, the latch body 118 has two latches for receptacles, such as an adapter latch 114 and a carrier latch 116. The latch body 118 may have only one of the latches depending on the use of the latch body and the needs of the user and the receptacle into which the fiber optic connector 100 is to be inserted. The adapter latch 290 extends from a forward portion of the latch body 118 and protrudes through the window 262 of the main body 250. Carrier latch 116 also extends from latch body 118, from the rear of the latch body, and protrudes through window 264 of main body 250. As can be appreciated from fig. 4, adapter latch 114 is not raised as high as carrier latch 116. The latch body 118 also has a connector latch 294. The connector latch 294 extends forwardly beyond the front surfaces 286 of the two

extensions

280, 282 to engage the stop surface 136. The connector latch 294 has a downwardly curled portion 296 that provides a surface to engage the stop surface 136, preventing rearward movement of the latch body 118 relative to the housing 102 when the boot 112 is pulled to disengage the fiber optic connector 100 from the receptacle, as will now be described.

Referring to fig. 1, 6, 9, 14, and 15 in particular, the attachment, use, and removal of the boot 112 on the fiber optic connector 100 will be described. As is generally known in the art, before a strain relief boot can be attached to a fiber optic connector, the fiber optic connector will need to have an optical fiber terminated in a fiber stub. In this case, the boot 112 having the central portion 200 and the front extension 110 is placed on the optical fiber/optical fiber cable, as illustrated in fig. 6. The optical fiber/fiber optic cable passes through the first and second

longitudinal openings

208, 240 of the boot sleeve 112 and is secured in the fiber stub 104. The sheath or covering over the fiber/fiber optic cable is then secured to the compression body 106 using the compression ring and heat shrink tubing 108 or in any other suitable manner. As can be seen in fig. 6, the boot 112 is disposed over the optical fiber/fiber cable and the fiber optic connector is assembled. When the boot 112 is moved to the fiber optic connector (to the left in FIG. 6), it will be apparent that the front extension 110 will first engage the rail receiving portion 158 of the compression body 106 and then engage the rail receiving portion 134 of the housing 102. As the boot sleeve 112 is pushed further to the left in the drawing, the rear portion 180 of the compression body 106 enters the first longitudinal opening 208, followed by the rearward portion 170 of the central portion 152 of the compression body 106. As the connector latch 294 begins to engage the stop surface 136 of the housing 102, the recess 172 and the forward facing surface 176 of the central portion 152 of the compression body 106 also enter the first longitudinal opening 208. See fig. 1. Fig. 14 also illustrates how the press body 106 (with the connector housing 102 removed for clarity) engages the boot sleeve 112 and the latch 220 that moves past the forward surface 176. The cut-out 212 receives a portion 214 of the press body 106 when the front end 204 of the center portion 200 is disposed against the press body 106. As seen in fig. 9, a protrusion or latch 220 is disposed between the two notches 172 and at the forward end of the notches 172. At this point, the fiber optic connector 100 is as illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 and is ready for insertion into the receptacle. The user may push on the ribbed rear 202, grip 238, front extension 110, or central portion 200 to insert the fiber optic connector 100 into the receptacle.

To remove the fiber optic connector 100 from the receptacle, a user may pull on the ribbed rear portion 202, grip portion 238, front extension 110, or central portion 200. Referring to fig. 15, when the user pulls on one of these structures, the front extension 110, the central portion 200, and the ribbed rear portion 202 move relative to the press body 106 and the housing 102, the protrusions or latches 220 slide rearward within the two notches 172. It is important to note that the friction between the boot sleeve and the connector housing and compression body should be low. It is desirable to have clearance between the boot sleeve and the press belt, press body, housing and cable. It is also desirable to have a boot sleeve material that has a low coefficient of friction, such as polypropylene. In addition, elastomeric bootie materials are not preferred because the user can deform the inner surface of the bootie and cause increased friction due to squeezing or pinching of the bootie during pulling. Materials with a young's modulus of greater than 500MPa, or possibly greater than 1GPa, have been shown to be less prone to deformation. See arrows in fig. 15. It is important to note that latch body 118 (and adapter latch 114 and carrier latch 116) also does not move because connector latch 294 has engaged stop surface 136 of housing 102. As the front extension 110 moves rearward, the main body 250 slides relative to the latch body 118 (and housing 102), pushing the adapter latch 114 and carrier latch 115 downward out of the window and disengaging the adapter latch and carrier latch from their respective receptacles.

At this point, the fiber optic connector 100 may be simply removed from the receptacle by pulling on the ribbed rear portion 202, grip portion 238, front extension 110, or central portion 200. The engagement of the protrusion or latch 220 with the forward facing surface 176 prevents the boot sleeve 112 from disengaging from the compression body 106 and the housing 102. However, as noted above, the user can push on the bridge 222, which allows the boot sleeve 112 to disengage from the compression body 106 and the shell 102. At this point, the boot 112 may be rotated about the fiber/fiber optic cable and reattached on the opposite side, thereby changing the polarity of the fiber optic connector 100.

Fig. 16-18 illustrate another embodiment of a boot 500 for use with a fiber optic connector. The bootie 500 has a forward extension 502, a central portion 504, and a ribbed rear portion 506. The forward extension 502 of this embodiment is identical to the forward extensions described above and will not be further described. The ribbed rear portion 506 functions in the same manner as the ribbed rear portion 202 in the following respects: the ribbed rear portion may be used to push and pull on the fiber optic connector. The ribbed rear portion 506 does have a different configuration in terms of the plurality of rib members 508 and ridges 510, but still provides sufficient strength to allow it to be used to install and remove a fiber optic connector while being flexible to provide strain relief for the optical fibers. The ribbed rear portion 506 has only a single grip 512 at the rear end 514, although more grips may be added. As can be seen in the figures, a ridge 510 connects a plurality of rib members 508 from the central portion 504 to a grip portion 512.

The central portion 504 of the bootie 500 is similar to the previous embodiments, but with some differences. First, the side portions 516 that help define the longitudinal opening therein are free of cuts. The side portions of the press body 520 to be used with the bootie 500 will not necessarily extend as far into the center portion with the engaging members indicated below.

Secondly, the engagement between the central portion 500 and the press-fit body 520 has been changed. See fig. 18. In this figure, the top and bottom of the central portion 500 have a single engagement member, and a single element 522 replaces the two protrusions or latches 220 in the previous embodiment. The single element 522 has a rounded shape at the front 524, and then the single element 522 has two rearward surfaces 526 to engage two

inward latches

528, 530 in the press body 520. The interaction between the central portion 504 and the compression body 520 is the same as discussed above. The bootie 500 is advanced toward the press body 520, and the rounded front portion 524 urges the two inward-facing

latches

528, 530 in the press body 520 to spread apart, allowing the engagement member 522 to be disposed therebetween. When a user pulls on boot 500 to remove a fiber optic connector from the receptacle, the engagement member 522 moves relative to the two

inward latches

528, 530. As discussed above, this movement causes the front extension 502 to release the latch and the engagement member 522 to contact the two

inward latches

528, 530 to pull the fiber optic connector out of the receptacle. After the fiber stub is removed from the receptacle, the user can pull on the central portion 504 while gripping the press body or housing and disengage the boot 500 from the press body with a slightly greater force than is required to disengage the fiber optic connector from the receptacle.

One other alternative that may be used on other embodiments in this embodiment is a rail receiving portion 540 on both sides. The rail receiving portion 540 has a central portion 542 and two camming sections 544 to engage the forward extension 502. However, the lobe segments 542 are not as close as the two lobe segments 162. This allows the rail receiving portion 540 to act more as an alignment feature that allows the forward extension 502 to be aligned with the rail receiving portion 540 and then inserted into the rail receiving portion from above the rail receiving portion rather than from the rear side as in the previous embodiments.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A boot for a fiber optic connector having a housing, at least two fiber stubs, and a compression body, the boot comprising:

a central portion having a front end and a rear end with a first longitudinal opening extending therebetween to receive a portion of a press body and a fiber optic cable;

a rear portion attached to the central portion and extending away from the front end of the central portion, the rear portion defining a second longitudinal opening in communication with the first longitudinal opening, the rear portion having a grip to allow a user to push and pull on the bootie; and

a front extension connected to the central portion and engageable with the fiber optic connector, the front extension extending forward and beyond a front end of the central portion and having at least one latch to engage the receptacle.

2. The boot sleeve of claim 1, wherein the boot sleeve is connectable to one of a first side and a second side of a fiber optic connector to determine a polarity of the fiber optic connector.

3. Boot sleeve according to claim 1, further comprising a first engagement member to cooperate with a corresponding second engagement member on the press body to removably attach the boot sleeve to the press body.

4. A boot sleeve according to claim 3, wherein the first engagement member comprises one of at least one protrusion and at least one recess, and the second engagement member comprises the other of at least one protrusion and at least one recess, the at least one recess having a length to allow the at least one protrusion to move within the at least one recess without becoming unattached.

5. The boot sleeve of claim 4, wherein pulling on the boot sleeve causes the first engagement member to slide relative to the second engagement member, thereby pulling the front extension rearward releases the fiber optic connector from the receptacle.

6. The bootie according to claim 4, wherein the at least one protrusion includes two protrusions and the at least one recess includes two recesses.

7. The boot sleeve of claim 4, wherein the at least one indentation includes a forward facing surface and the at least one protrusion includes a rearward facing surface, such that pulling on the boot sleeve causes the rearward facing surface to engage the forward facing surface.

8. Boot sleeve according to claim 3, wherein the first engagement member disengages from the second engagement member when the front portion of the boot sleeve is pressed inwards towards the first longitudinal opening.

9. A combination boot and a crimp body for an optical fiber connector having a housing, at least two fiber ferrules and a spring bias, the combination comprising:

a boot sleeve, the boot sleeve comprising:

a rear portion attached to the central portion and extending away from the front end of the central portion, the rear portion defining a second longitudinal opening in communication with the first longitudinal opening, the rear portion having a grip to allow a user to push and pull on the bootie;

a front extension connected to the central portion and engageable with the fiber optic connector, the front extension extending forward and beyond a front end of the central portion and having at least one latch to engage the receptacle; and

a press-fit body including

A front portion configured to be at least partially disposed in the housing;

a rear portion extending rearwardly away from the front portion and providing an outer surface to receive a press belt therearound; and

a central portion disposed between the front and rear portions,

wherein the boot sleeve has a first engaging member to cooperate with a corresponding second engaging member on the press body to removably attach the boot sleeve to the press body, the second engaging member being provided on a central portion of the press body.

10. The combination boot sleeve and press body of claim 9, wherein the first engagement member comprises one of at least one protrusion and at least one notch, and the second engagement member comprises the other of at least one protrusion and at least one notch, the at least one notch having a length to allow the at least one protrusion to move within the at least one notch without becoming unattached.

11. The combination boot sleeve and press body of claim 10, wherein said at least one protrusion comprises two protrusions and said at least one recess comprises two recesses.

12. The combination of a boot sleeve and a press body according to claim 10, wherein the at least one indentation comprises a forward facing surface and the at least one protrusion comprises a rearward facing surface, such that pulling on the boot sleeve causes the rearward facing surface to engage the forward facing surface.

13. The combination boot sleeve and press body of claim 9, wherein the first engagement member disengages the second engagement member when the front portion of the boot sleeve is pressed inwardly toward the first longitudinal opening.

14. The combination boot sleeve and compression body of claim 9, wherein pulling on the boot sleeve causes the first engagement member to slide relative to the second engagement member, thereby pulling the front extension rearwardly to release the fiber optic connector from the receptacle.

15. The combination boot sleeve and press body of claim 9, wherein the press body has a central portion having a top surface and a bottom surface with a rail receiving portion having a central portion and two camming sections, one on each side of the central portion.

16. An optical fiber connector having a boot, a press-fit body, and a housing having at least two ferrules to hold optical fibers therein, the optical fiber connector comprising:

a front end for the at least two ferrules open in the housing;

a press-fit body attached to the housing rearward of the front end, the press-fit body having a front portion, a central portion, and a rear portion; and

a boot sleeve attached to the press body and having a front extension that extends toward the front end of the shell and is attached to one of the press body or the shell at the central portion, and the front extension further having at least one latch to engage the receptacle, and the boot sleeve having a rear portion with at least one grip to allow a user to push and pull on the boot sleeve,

wherein the press body and the boot sleeve each have a longitudinal opening to accommodate at least two optical fibers.